The Department of Culture of Kerala has line up several panel discussions on various aspects of the policy, in which experts in the field are participating.
A decisive step towards addressing long -pending issues in the Malayalam film industry will begin on Saturday (August 2, 2025) with the inauguration of the two -day Kerala Film Policy Conclave organized by the Government of Kerala, which frames a comprehensive policy to touch a comprehensive policy on all aspects of the industry.
This is a way a result of the churning seen in the industry after the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a popular female actor in 2017, causing women’s formation and justice to the cinema collective (WCC). The Constitution of the Hema Committee studied issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality for Ghara.
The HeMA committee report, which was published in 2024, not only disclosed cases of sexual abuse, but also illegal restrictions, discrimination, wages inequality and in some cases, inhuman work. Following the HeMA committee report, a reasonable policy was highlighted to address several of these issues.
Film policy draft, which was prepared after several rounds of meetings with various stakeholders in the industry, will be presented in the Conclave in two days. The Department of Culture has line several panel discussions on various aspects of the policy, in which the experts in the field are participating.
Although 17 other states have film policies, one of these good numbers does not go beyond the encouragement for filmmaking. According to officials of Kerala State Film Development Corporation, the proposed policy for the Malayalam industry to consider all aspects related to film production will go beyond this. The conclave will also address the lack of formal recognition as an industry, due to which there are no rules for controlling most activities in the Malayalam film industry.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the Conclave at a conclusion to be held at Shankaranarayanan Thampi Hall inside the Legislative Assembly premises in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, who will be the chief guests as the ministers of cultural affairs at actor Mohanlal and Suhasini Mani Ratnam at 10 am on Saturday.
The inaugural session will be on gender and inclusion in the industry, with the implementation of women’s sexual harassment on the workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2013 (Posh Act) (Prevention, Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2013 (posh Act).
Discussions related to other aspects will address several issues, including lack of constructive agreements, lack of a centralized body for regulatory inspection in the industry and obstacles to enter film associations and unions due to high membership fees and bias.
Single-wind system for permit
Panel discussion will also focus on building a single-window online system for permits for the future to use bureaucracy, moral marketing practices, protecting from cyber hazards and preparation of moral guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in filmmaking for the future.
Filmmaker Adour Gopalakrishnan will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony on Sunday (August 3), while Mr. Cherian will present a detailed report on both days of sessions.
Published – August 01, 2025 04:01 pm IST
